Trump Admin Drops a Bomb on Harvard University, Revoking Harvard's Ability to Credential Foreign Students

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem sent Harvard University a letter revoking their Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. "Harvard is being held accountable for collaboration with the CCP, fostering violence, antisemitism, and pro-terrorist conduct from students on its campus." wrote Noem in a statement. She cited Harvard's inability or unwillingness to protect Jewish students during pro Palestine riots, in particular.

The revocation of Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 21, 2025, has significant consequences for the university, its international students, and the broader academic and economic landscape. Current Students: International students currently enrolled at Harvard on F-1 or J-1 visas face significant disruption. They must either transfer to another SEVP-certified institution or risk losing their legal status in the United States, which could force them to leave the country. Transferring involves logistical challenges such as securing new visas, finding housing, and adjusting to new academic environments.

New Students: Harvard is prohibited from admitting new international students or issuing I-20 or DS-2019 forms required for F-1 or J-1 visas, effectively halting new enrollments of foreign students starting from the 2025–26 academic year.

News outlets like The Harvard Crimson and The Guardian reported on the revocation, but they do not mention a direct response from Harvard yet. Harvard may still be formulating an official statement or response. Universities typically take time to consult legal teams, assess the implications, and craft a public statement, especially for an issue of this magnitude affecting 6,000 international students.

The Harvard Crimson article mentions that the revocation "dramatically escalates the administration's fight with the University," suggesting tension but no direct quote or statement from Harvard. Similarly, the DHS website and The Guardian focus on Noem's actions and justifications-such as Harvard's alleged failure to comply with reporting requirements on foreign students' activities-but do not cite a Harvard response.

Potential Next Steps: Given the severity of the revocation, which prohibits Harvard from enrolling international students on F- or J-visas for the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard is likely to respond soon. They may issue a statement through their official channels (e.g., the university's website, press office, or President Alan M. Garber's office) or take legal action to challenge the decision, especially since critics on X (e.g., @deanna504) have called the move "highly illegal" and an overreach against a private institution.

Public Sentiment on X: The X replies to Noem's post show a polarized reaction, with some users like @DreadPirate67 supporting the decision and others like @scottiev and @Timothy_Bellman calling it "unAmerican" and "government overreach." This public discourse might pressure Harvard to respond quickly to clarify their stance and address the concerns of their international student community.

If you'd like to monitor for Harvard's response, I suggest checking their official website (harvard.edu) or their X account (@Harvard) for updates in the coming hours or days. Alternatively, news outlets like The Harvard Crimson are likely to cover any official statement from the university as soon as it's released.